Wilbur raised his shield and ducked to the left. The spikes missed him narrowly.

They may not be able to pierce the armour but they can certainly loosen it. And a loose armour is more dangerous than no armour.

Wilbur charged at Rhugh with the sword in his right hand. Rhugh simply arced his blade to meet Wilbur's. Another effortless swing made Wilbur catch on to defensive. Wilbur's shield intercepted the blow. He jumped back as the third swing met the ground. A sharp spike rose up from the ground Wilbur was standing on just half a second ago. Wilbur took back another step and carefully walked towards the right. Eyes on Rhugh.

He noticed the ten bodyguards were upon his five White Capes. He knew it would be no contest. The ten were personally chosen by Rhugh. Not farm boys dressed in armour. Wilbur took a deep long breath to summon his concentration away from any such distractions.

I have been chosen!

He charged again from his right. Rhugh stepped back a bit and pressed his left foot to the ground. The stones on which Wilbur next laid his foot caved in and he fell face first into the ground. Dirt found its way inside Wilbur's mouth through the visor. Pain shot up from the left of his chest. But he stopped not to worry as he rolled to the right and tried to get back his footing.

His instinct hadn't betrayed him as he saw Rhugh trying to stab the ground he had been lying on just a moment ago. Now Rhugh's sword just met stones.

Wilbur's eyes widened as he understood the war head's intention. As soon as Rhugh's sword touched the ground, another volley of spikes shot up at Wilbur. This one was far stronger than the one before. Wilbur raised his shield just in time to intercept the spikes. The spikes pierced his shield and managed to dent the armour on his left hand. But the force was enough to throw him back.

Wilbur let out a shout as his left side made its presence known.

He rolled to his right again before he got up, suspecting a trap. He noticed his back was now at the Town's Gate. He had moved half a circle already.

Rhugh pressed his foot on the ground again.

Why is he using so much alchemy? Rhugh is known for close combat, not alchemy.

Wilbur rose his shield again ready for more shooting spikes. But rather the terrain around Rhugh started changing. A little pole rose up near Rhugh. Wilbur watched it carefully. Finally when it rose to about the his height, Rhugh charged at Wilbur.

It was only when Wilbur tried to step to a side that he realized the pole was just a distraction. Stone had coiled itself around his feet. His feet were now stuck to the ground. As Rhugh came the only immediate option Wilbur was left with was crouching behind his shield. Rhugh's sword came crashing down as it dented the shield deep. He could feel the force vibrate through his left arm. Wilbur tried to thrust his sword straight through, his shield still up. Rhugh expertly deflected the blade with the flat of his own. Rhugh swung his sword, short arc powerful blow. It met Wilbur Gladinstone blade with a loud clang. The blades seemed to lock as they didn't move any further. Wilbur used all his force to tilt it in his favour. That way his lack of movement would be covered. He gritted his teeth as his right arm strained under the force.

I have been chosen!

Rhugh's blade somehow seemed to grow heavier with each passing second. Literally. Wilbur realised Rhugh was using alchemy to make his blade heavier and longer. Wilbur watched helplessly as layer upon layer of steel formed on Rhugh's blade. After one point his own blade started to tilt to the right.

I can't hold it much longer.

Steel rose around the point their swords met. It turned the shape of a hook. After that, all Rhugh did was twist his blade with force. The Gladinstone blade jerked out of Wilbur's hand as it flew behind Rhugh.

Wilbur used this opportunity to slam his mailed fist into Rhugh's visor. Rhugh was taken by surprise. Wilbur knew it would be some time before he would recover from the ringing. He tried to use those few seconds to try and get out of the constraints on his legs. But they were solid stone. He would a hammer to break them down or alchemy. Both of which he did not posses as of then.

A single mistake!

Rhugh knew his predicament and came towards him. This time at a leisurely pace. Wilbur had lost his sword. And his movement.

He unsheathed his knife and got into an offensive stance. He knew a knife would not be much use with limited movement. Especially against a sword.

"I respect your determination. But a man must know his limitations. Accept defeat with honour."

Wilbur raised his shield a little in defiance. Though he could not see Rhugh's face he could sense irritation.

Rhugh's sword met the ground to greet Wilbur's determination with a volley of little spikes. The volley went on till his shield and armour had hundreds of tiny holes and dents. Wilbur stood still in his defensive position. His white armour had started to come off at places as the straps attached were torn. His shield was but in the name, rigged with holes and dents. This time even Rhugh was panting. The heavy alchemy had taken its toll on him.

Indeed. He sees me as a practice dummy for improving his alchemy. That is why he is using alchemy more than close combat.

Wilbur's defense was now sacrificed. He still clung on to his tattered shield and knife. His right shoulder plate fell as he moved his hand.

I must not allow him to produce another volley again. I have not, much defence left.

Rhugh raised his sword as he came closer to give a finishing blow. Wilbur threw his knife at Rhugh. It bounced harmlessly of his armour. Wilbur never boasted about his marksmanship.

"You have fought well, O Wilbur of The White Capes."

Wilbur raised his right arm. And focussed his eyes on Rhugh's chest. The pose baffled Rhugh.

It was when Rhugh's sword reached the highest point that his eyes widened and realisation hit him. Rhugh tried to duck to his right as a piercing sound welcomed the arrival of demise.

Wilbur saw a white glowing blade pierce Rhugh right through his armour and chest. His arms suspended in air, sword still at the highest point, eyes wide. His face slowly looked down at the sword. Blood came gushing out of his mouth and met the blade to glow with a reddish hue before it met the ground.

"That was your trick. A Gladinstone blade," said Rhugh.

"It was never the Gladinstone blade Rhugh. It was your pride that was my weapon." Wilbur fell down on his back, panting.

Rhugh followed. But he didn't get up. Wilbur did.

The glow in the sword died, as it returned to appear as a normal one.

Wilbur looked to see what had become of his warriors. The White Capes had put on a great fight. But four of them now lay on the ground. The last one standing was overwhelmed as he parried blow after blow. The other side had two casualties. Eight of Rhugh's men rained down on the one.

Wilbur retrieved his weapon, his feet still stuck on the ground. He knew that if those eight made his way to him he won't last long. He had no defence to speak of. He watched, torn and hopeless as the last of the five, fell.

It was only then that the men noticed Rhugh had been defeated. The stood in stunned silence for an instance as they saw the seemingly impossible. Rhugh defeated.

Wilbur saw this as an opportunity, "You must follow the path of The White God!"

Wilbur's attempt seemed to have no effect on them.

They are loyal. I may as well be talking to this cobblestone street.

They started walking towards him. Wilbur readied his Gladinstone blade.

Then he heard clatter of metal from behind. He turned back to see men dressed in red and gold chainmail rush towards him from the forest of Andlenore.

The eight men were momentarily distracted by the sight, but went on as they realised they were the troops Rhugh had sent in the forest.

By the time they realised their misconception it was already too late. The men in red and gold from the forest stabbed the eight warriors as they came forward.

One of the men came to Wilbur and said, "Two casualties."

"You have done well! So have the boys. I shall mourn their loss as I shall mourn for the five."

A melancholic look passed across the disguised archer's face Wilbur noticed. The archer looked behind to see the bodies of his allies. He then looked at Wilbur's pock marked armour and the lock on his leg.

"I will arrange for a hammer."

****